Unit: Theatre History
Purpose:
To identify personal values and create a physical expression for them.
To illustrate the use of masks throughout the history of the theatre.
Objective:
The students will create a mask that is an expression of personal value or belief and therefore identify with performers from other periods of theatre history.
Materials:
- Art supplies --
- construction paper or poster board paints, crayons, markers glitter
- Craft supplies --
- glue, hot glue gun, scissors, fabric scraps, flowers, ribbons, wire, old magazines, aluminum foil, anything!
- Sticks or strings (our local hardware store gave me all the paint sticks I wanted)
Procedure:
- After discussing the uses of masks in different periods of theatre history, ask students to think of some aspect of their own personality or value system that they would like to express in a mask. They should have at least one day to think about this.
- Ask the students to bring in all kinds of arts and craft supplies from home to supplement the materials that you collect. Give them one or two class periods to make their masks. Give them a stick or string to allow them to wear their masks in class when completed.
- This actually is more workable as an outside assignment, but the students really enjoy working on it together.
Examples:
- A very grade-conscious student made a mask he called "the test god." It was made of aluminum foil and computer print-out strips with pieces of broken pencil and letters and numbers.
- The "goddess of peace" worked two white doves into a beautiful design decorated with white feathers.
- One girl who always appreciated a good party made a mardi gras mask with beads, glitter, and tissue paper.